TOOTGAROOK TELEGRAPH

Weekly newsletter of

TOOTGAROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL

Website: www.tootps.vic.edu.au
Telephone: 5985 2864

Email Address: tootgarook.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Issue 1

4th February, 2016

CALENDAR
th

Monday 8 February
th
th
Wednesday 10 Friday 12 February
Monday 22nd February
Wednesday 24th February
th
Saturday 27 February
rd
Wednesday 23 March
-

Beach Program
- 5/6 Ballarat Camp
St Kilda FC Clinic
District Swimming Sports
Tootgarook Market
School Photo Day

WELCOME TO 2016
A very warm welcome to all students, staff & parents as we get the 2016 school year underway.
Our 279 students have had a very smooth start to the year with all classes settling in beautifully and quickly
establishing their classroom routines and learning programs. I would like to take this
opportunity to warmly welcome our new members of the Tootgarook staff who are all doing
a great job in acquainting themselves with all of the schools operations: Franki Kain
(4A), Rebecca Broomfield(4B) Bree Daley (P.E) and Nicole Rowe (Educational
Assistant)
If you get a chance, please pop into your childs class to introduce yourself to our
wonderful new teachers.

Hoax phone calls to Victorian schools - In light of the recent hoax threatening phone calls to Victorian schools
in the last few days,
our school has not received such a call but I wanted to inform you that, like all schools, we have an emergency
management plan in place for situations like this, and we practise it throughout the year.
Those schools which did receive a threatening call enacted their emergency management plans and
they worked well.
The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority.
If we were to receive a bomb hoax, in all probability, we would evacuate to the school oval.
Police and the Education Departments Emergency Management Division would be contacted
immediately. Parents would be alerted by our automated messaging system TIQBIZ. (see below
the instructions to connect to the automated system)
If parent/s were required to pick up their child/ren, it would be facilitated at the rear of the oval away from
school buildings. It needs to be noted that the school would be under the direction of the Victorian Police
Force.

Student Safety Please take the time to regularly remind your child/ren about safety, especially when
going to and from school. Here are the important points to mention:
Do not to talk to strangers and never accept a ride from a stranger, or accept lollies or gifts from a
stranger.
Immediately report any issue or problem you may have when going to or from school, to your mum and
dad, or to your teacher, the Principal, Assistant Principal or office staff.
Always get permission from mum or dad before going to play with a friend after school and always let
mum and dad know where you will be and what time you will be home.
We advise that, wherever possible, children should travel to or from school with an adult or with their friends,
rather than travel alone.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS All government schools in Victoria have a School

Council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school
within statewide guidelines. In doing this, a School Council is able to directly influence the quality of
education that the school provides for its students.

Parents on School Councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape
the direction of the school. Those parents who become active on a School Council find their
involvement satisfying in itself and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of
belonging/engagement.
Each year, approximately half of the School Council retires to allow new members to become
involved. To this end, we are now formally calling for nominations for the 2016/2017 Tootgarook PS
School Council. Membership on the council is for a period of two years and regular meetings are held
twice a term, normally the 3rd Monday of each month..
Councillors will become involved in our subcommittees of Council. If you would like to know more
about being a councillor, dont hesitate to give me a call. In 2016, we have three parent vacancies on
School Council for a full period of two years. Nominations for School Council will close at 4.00pm
on Wednesday 10th February. Please contact me for a nomination form if you are interested. If
we receive more nominations that positions available, an election process will follow in the
coming weeks.

Early Release All children collected from school before 3.30pm must be signed out at the Office.
If a child is signed out at Recess or Lunch time, the Office staff will call the child to the Office and then
ensure the Early Release Pass is given to the supervising teacher.

Bikes & Scooters Many children ride bikes and scooters to school each day. It is recommended all bikes
and scooters are locked up at the provided bike racks to prevent theft. Please ensure your child has
a chain and a lock. All children who ride a bike or scooter must wear a helmet which is a requirement
by the Government . The school regularly reminds all children about wearing helmets for their
safety. All bikes, scooters, skateboards, ribtics and helmets must be labelled, with your childs
name and class. Children are reminded they must walk their bike, scooter, skateboard or
ripstic to and from the school gates. No bikes are to be brought through the school
buildings and we request, where possible, that Scooters are also not walked through the
building.

Working With Children Checks -

Cardholders who are required to renew their WWC Check will

no longer need to go to Australia Post to lodge a paper form and present their current card. Cardholders will go
to the WWC Check website to complete their renewal application online and, if applying for an Employee Check,
pay the fee using a credit card. The online renewal process Cardholders will be notified by SMS, letter or email
28 days before their WWC Check is due to expire. It is important for cardholders to keep their contact details up
to date so that they receive this important reminder.
After receiving a notification, individuals continuing to do child-related work should go to MyCheck on the WWC
Check website and apply to renew their Check. Cardholders will be asked to register with MyCheck if they have
not already done so. Once logged in to MyCheck, cardholders will be prompted to confirm or update their
personal contact and work details, complete the online form and, if applying for an Employee Check, pay the
non-refundable $102.70 fee.
More information, an FAQ guide to online renewals will be available in 'Publications' under 'Resources' on the WWC
Check website. Or contact the Customer Support Line on 1300 652 879 8.30am 5.00pm weekdays except public holidays.
http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.

LOCAL EXCURSION NOTES - At the start of each year we require parents to sign a Local Excursion
note and a Bus Note. The Internet Agreement and Photo Permission forms signed by parents last year
will be carried over to this year however if circumstances have changed and you do not wish your
child to be photographed for the newsletter or newspaper or you do not wish your child to go on the
Internet please let the office know in writing. The Local Excursion note and bus note (on the reverse
side) will be sent home tomorrow please sign and return asap. The Prep children and new students
will bring home all three notices to be returned asap.

ATTENTION HEALTH CARE CARD

Lunch Orders

have commenced and are available each day from The Milk Bar in
Rosebud. Orders must be written on a brown paper bag - a separate order for each child. Orders
need to be at the school office by 9.15am.

As a SunSmart school, it is school policy that our students wear

their broad brimmed hats during first term as a protection
against the rays of the sun. We would appreciate your support with this important life skill and
ensure that your child brings their sun hat to school each day.

Our next market will be Saturday February 27th Again this year each grade will be rostered on to one market
each month. A roster will be published in a later newsletter.
A note will go home to each student in the grade prior to their allocated market please endeavour to assist at
your childs allocated market as funds raised benefits all students.

RUNNING CLUB
Running Club will be starting shortly on Tuesday and Thursday morning 8-8.45am Last
year we had lots of children, younger siblings and parents attend. This valuable
community service can only run with the assistance of parent helpers and volunteers. If
you could assist on a Tuesday and/or Thursday morning from 8-9am with keeping
track of laps and writing certificates could you please let Nat Quintin know. Thankyou

BREAKFAST CLUB
Breakfast Club a starting date to be announced in next weeks newsletter. This program is
open to all children who wish to have brekky with their friends. This valuable community
service can only run with the assistance of parent and grandparent helpers and volunteers.
If you could assist on a Tuesday and/or Thursday morning from 8-9am
could you please let the office or Paul King know.
Thankyou

Student of the Week

Students will be presented with certificates at Monday morning assembly.

Prep R Mrs Read Archy Dwyer I am so impressed by the way you have settled into our classroom and by the way you
follow our rules. Well done Archy and welcome to Tootgarook P.S.

Prep S Miss Staley - Koby DeBruyn - What a terrific start to Prep, Koby! We love your BIG smile and that you always try
your best! You are doing a fabulous job of listening carefully to the teacher and raising your hand to answer questions.
Well done!
1A Miss Arnold Archie Conduit Welcome back to Tootgarook Primary School. You have settled into our class really
well. You are always listening and giving everything your best. Keep up the great work.
1P Miss Perkins Stephanie Lowry Welcome to Tootgarook Primary School! You have already made many new friends
and are a keen learner. Well Done!
2B Mrs Baird 2J - Mrs Johnstone Angela Krtalic for being such a keen and interested learner who willingly gives everything a go.
3B Mrs Bos - Luca White for her awesome effort at the pool for having a go and doing her best.
3W Ms Walton Tye Seath welcome to our class. You have settled in really easily and I am so impressed with your
reading.
4B Miss Broomfield Jai OReilly well done on a great start to the year. It has been fantastic seeing your positive
attitude towards all activities.
4F Miss Kain Isabella Conduit welcome back to Tootgarook Isabella! Looking forward to teaching you this year. Keep
smiling!
4/5K Mr Kitchin Ella Giarrusso for a fantastic start to 2016. You have worked hard and set a high standard when
completing tasks. Well Done!
5/6M Miss McGhee - Jai Daniels- OConnor - For his enthusiastic attitude towards our beach program and swim

carnival. You have settled in nicely and 5/6M are looking forward to a wonderful year with you. Well done Jai.
5/6Q Miss Quintin Youve started this year with a bang Zoe Tracy. You tried your absolute hardest at our

swimming carnival and completed your monitor jobs this week without having to be reminded. Well Done- Keep it
up!
Music (Mrs Young) Jai Daniels-OConnor 5/6M what a great start to Music you have had, Jai! You are very attentive
and polite and happy to share your ideas and knowledge with your new class. We are all looking forward to hearing some
of the music you make at home!

Tootgarook Netball Club

Registration Day- All Age Groups
Wednesday 10th February
Truemans Rd Reserve